NTNU Fakultet for naturvitenskap og teknologi Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige Institutt for kjemisk prosessteknologi universitet FORDYPNINGSPROSJEKTER HØSTEN 2016 SPECIALIZATION PROJECTS AUTUMN 2016 TKP4580 Spesialiseringsprosjekt, kjemisk prosessteknologi (15 stp) TKP4581 Spesialiseringsprosjekt, kjemisk prosessteknologi (7,5 stp) KATALYSE (CATALYSIS) Project proposals from Professor De Chen: [email protected] 1 Catalytic conversion of kerogen in enhanced oil production from shales Oil shale comprises a host rock and kerogen. Kerogen, commonly defined as the insoluble macromolecular organic matter (OM) dispersed in sedimentary rocks, is by far the most abundant form of OM on Earth. Kerogen has a high hydrogen-to-carbon ratio, giving the potential to be superior to heavy oil or coal as a source of liquid fuel. When heated to the right temperatures, some types of kerogen release crude oil or natural gas. Statoil RDI is looking at kerogen as a possible resource for the future Kerogen is an unconventional hydrocarbon source, which is the one of the new focus areas in Statoil. Fundamental understanding of the reaction of depolymerization of kerogen could lead to a more energy effective way for in-situ conversion of kerogen to oils in subterranean geological formations. The present work will test the multifunctional proppants as catalysts for kerogen conversion. The project will also include the characterization of kerogen and the oils produced. A summer job at the Catalysis group is available. Supervisors: Prof. De Chen 2 Kinetic study of oxychlorination process Catalytic oxychlorination of ethylene with hydrochloric acid and oxygen is the important industrial process to produce 1,2-dichloroethane, which can be converted into vinyl chloride by cracking process. Supported CuCl2 catalyst often used as oxychlorination catalysts. The present work focuses on the catalyst preparation and characterization of K, La and Mg modified CuCl2 layer on alumina supports. The site reactivity will be studied by combined UV-Vis spectroscopy-MS and transient kinetic study on catalysts with different site density. The project will be performed at the catalysis group and be closely cooperated with INEOS. Supervisor: Prof. De Chen, Endre Fenes and Terje Fuglerud (IENOVY) 1 3 One-pot conversion of biomass to chemicals on Ni-Cu-Zn alloy catalysts Catalytic processes for conversion of biomass to transportation fuels have gained an increasing attention in sustainable energy production. The biomass can be converted to fuels via three platforms, such as fast pylolysis (bio-oil as intermediate), hydrolysis (sugars as intermediates) and gasification (synthesis gas as intimidates). Recently it has been reported that biomass can be directly converted to polyols, such as ethylene glycol and propanediol. Those polyols can be converted to gasoline and diesels via hydrogenolysis, aldol condensation and hydrogenation reactions on multifunctional catalysts. The project will deal with synthesis, characterization and catalytic test of Ni/Cu/ZnO based catalysts for hydrothermal liquefaction of woody biomass as well as alga. The work will be performed in NorBioLab. Supervisors: Prof. De Chen, Cornelis Gerardus van der Wijst 4 Catalytic conversion of biomass derived oxygenates to aviation fuels This project deals with catalytic conversion of biomass derived oxygenates to fuels on multifunctional catalysts integrating the function of aldol condensation, ketonization, oligomerization and hydrogenation. High surface area TiO2 catalysts will be synthesized and characterized for aldol condensation reaction. The Ni-Cu-Zn will be tested as hydrogenation catalysts. The products will be thoroughly analyzed by GC-MS, HPLC, and work will be performed in NorBioLab. Supervisors: Prof. De Chen, Isaac Yeboah 5 Catalysts for light olefin C3-C4 production Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is the key process in the production of liquid fuels from natural gas, coal and biomass. The reaction mechanism has long been the central research topic. However, the mechanism for the chain growth in the F-T synthesis is still in debate. The present work will deal with a steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis combining a detailed kinetic study at mediate CO pressures to elucidate the chain growth monomers. The project includes also the synthesis and characterization of Co based catalysts. The kinetic study will be performed on the resulted materials to gain a relationship between the properties and catalytic performance. Supervisor: Prof. De Chen, Prof. Anders Holmen 6 Autothermal dry reforming of methane Combined total combustion and dry reforming will be studied in a fixed bed reactor. Co/CeO2 will be synthesized, characterized and tested for methane total combustion. Ni-Co catalysts with different Ni/Co ratio will be synthesized and tested for methane reforming. The operating conditions, particular the ratio of O2/CO2/CH4 will be studied as a function of activity, CO/H2 ratio and carbon formation. The catalytic combustion of methane will be focused in the project. Supervisor: Prof. De Chen, Prof. Anders Holmen, Shirley Elisabeth Liland 7 Oxidation of biomass derived doils to acid Oxidation of alcohols provides one such route for transformation of biorenewable feedstocks to value-added chemicals. A potential platform alcohol derived from six-carbon sugars is 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The selective oxidation of HMF produces 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a potential 2 replacement for the terephthalic acid monomer used in the production of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET plastic). Water is a very low-cost, polar and environmentallybenign solvent for highly oxygenated molecules derived from biomass and catalytic oxidation in water provides a sustainable, environmentally-friendly route for conversion of biomass derived feedstocks. The present work will study the new metal free catalysts such as N- or P-N dopped carbon as the catalysts. Supervisor: Prof. De Chen, Haakon Rui 8 Synthesis of solid sorbents for CO2 capture and applications in hydrogen production Carbonate looping is an alternative method for CO2 capture to improve the energy efficiency for CO2 capture and hydrogen production from biomass-derived compounds by sorption enhanced reforming. In situ removal of CO2 can significantly shift the equilibrium towards to hydrogen production. Group has long experience on the solid sorbent synthesis and applications in pure hydrogen production from biomass, and biomass derived compounds. The project will include the synthesis of different solid sorbents, characterization and test of CO2 capture. The focus will be on the preparation of solid spheres of the sorbents and catalysts. Supervisor: De Chen 9 Synthesis of low temperature sorbents for CO2 capture CO2 capture and storage (CCS) has attracted significant attention in the past decade due to the global warming issue. The current developed and developing CCS technologies are mostly targeted at capturing CO2 from large point sources, such as coal-fired power plants. In addition, solid sorbents are often required for removal of CO2 and H2S from natural gas, and synthesis gas from biomass and coal gasification. The present work deals with a development of carbon spheres with polyethylenimine (PEI). The polymer spheres will be synthesis by ultrasonication assisted polymerization. The pore size will be controlled by addition solid pore making agents such as nano particles of CaCO3 and SiO2. The molecular weight and loading of PEI will be studied in terms of CO2 capacity and the stability. Supervisor: De Chen Project proposals from Professor Magnus Rønning: [email protected] 10 New catalysts for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) Distribution of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is developing in Norway as well as globally, and represents an option for efficient and more environmentally friendly marine propulsion. Heavy duty engine exhaust from the marine sector constitutes approximately 15% of the total global NOx emissions. State-of-the-art NOx removal from heavy engine exhaust includes selective catalytic reduction where NOx is reduced by a reducing agent such as ammonia (usually generated in situ from urea). In transient operation, SCR may be combined with NOx storage in NOx storage and reduction (NSR) systems. Modern engines operate with high fuel efficiencies, and high catalyst activity at low temperatures is therefore necessary. 3 SCR catalysts usually contain an active component (transition metal or PGM) dispersed on a porous support. In addition, a NOx storage component may be included. γ–Al2O3 is often preferred as the support material due to the high thermal stability (<850Cº), slight acidity and the capacity to store NOx at low temperatures. For low-temperature NH3-SCR, Fe- and Cu- exchanged zeolites are highly promising catalysts. This project aims at investigating modified mesoporous aluminium oxides as catalyst supports for low temperature SCR. Recent studies report periodically ordered mesoporous alumina–tungstophosphoric (HPW) acid composite frameworks that may open up new possibilities for tuning the acidity of the support and to tailor the interaction between the metal function and the support. The project is affiliated with a new project awarded by the Research Council of Norway TRANSPORT 2025 program. The project work involves synthesis, characterization and screening of catalysts for low-temperature SCR. Development of testing equipment and experimental protocols will be part of the work. Supervisor: Professor